Heaven gained a beautiful soul on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015.

Betty Lou Loftin Byrd Cummins, a lifelong resident of Vicksburg, was employed at Beechwood Restaurant for over 18 years, and retired from the Shop-A-Minit with over 13 years of service. She was 87.

Betty Lou was raised in St. Paul Catholic Church, and was known for her love of people and home cooking.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Louise Marshall Loftin and Robert Noel Loftin Sr.; ex-husband, Earl B. Byrd; husband, Earl Cummins; brother, Robert N. Loftin Jr.; and two sons, Kenny Byrd and Larry Byrd.

She leaves to cherish her memories, three daughters, Kitty Haynes of Rosser, Texas,  Shirley Keen of Vicksburg, Patricia Bauman of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; two sons, Bobby Byrd (Becky)  of Pride, Louisiana, and P.C. Cummins (Teresa) of Vicksburg; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, at Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home with the Rev. Bert Bryant officiating.

Visitation will be from noon until the hour of service. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.